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Purcell Mountain Lodge, a three-storey timber lodge with a blue roof, lit at sunset with jagged peaks behind

BC Interior · Backcountry Lodges

Purcell Mountain Lodge

5.0 · 317 TripAdvisor reviews ↗

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From the Journal

Two lodges above the treeline

I've flown into both Purcell and Mistaya with a drone case in one hand and skis in the other. Fifteen helicopter minutes from Golden, a full world away from it; here's how BC's heli-access backcountry lodges work, and how to choose between meadow and glacier.

Words, photography & film by Ben Taft ·

Read the story

About Purcell Mountain Lodge

Purcell Mountain Lodge is a fifteen-minute helicopter flight from Golden, in alpine meadow country on the edge of Glacier National Park, and it has been running for more than three decades. Ten guest rooms sit on the upper floor of the main lodge, with a separate two-bedroom chalet a few steps away that sleeps up to eight and can be booked self-catered. Stays are three nights Friday to Monday, four nights Monday to Friday, or six nights, with the helicopter included in the rate. Winter is ski touring and snowshoeing, from gentle meadow slopes suitable for a first backcountry trip up to forty-degree pillow lines and multi-summit days measuring 1,400 to 2,000 vertical metres of climbing. Summer is hiking. Guided and self-guided trips are both available, which is uncommon in this category, and the lodge takes weddings and corporate groups.

The essentials

Rate band
$$, $500–1,000 per person / night
Season
December to April for ski touring and snowshoeing, June to September for hiking
Sleeps
30 guests
Region
BC Interior, British Columbia
Access
Helicopter
Typical per person
$3,800 (estimated from published rates)

A 15-minute helicopter flight from Golden, BC, included in the rate. A direct shuttle runs between Calgary Airport and Golden.

Amenities

  • All inclusive
  • Chef prepared meals
  • Helicopter access
  • Shared bathroom
  • Off grid power
  • No mobile signal
  • Guided programme
  • Ski touring terrain
  • Avalanche safety equipment
  • Gear storage
  • Self catering
  • Conference space

Best for

  • Small groups
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Corporate retreats
  • Hikers
  • Ski tourers
  • Celebrations

Virtual tour

Video

Photographs

14 photographs of Purcell Mountain Lodge. Select any image to enlarge it.

Location

51.2800, -117.0200 · nearest gateway Kelowna, Kamloops, Golden or Calgary

How we verified this checked 31 July 2026 · 5 sources · 6 fields unverified

How we verified this

Compiled from the operator's own published material and rewritten in our own words. Last checked 31 July 2026. The following could not be confirmed against a published source and are marked unverified: avgTicketValue, priceBand, capacity, amenities, lat, lng.

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BC Interior · Backcountry Lodges

Mistaya Lodge

Heli-access lodge in the Wildcat Creek basin near Golden, ski touring in winter, alpine hiking in summer.